Dik Delta Diary
The first winter rains have fallen on Dik Delta and the harvesting continues; with Makataans, Agurkies and Wild olives are all being harvested this month.
The “Agurkie”, Horned cucumber, has an unusual looking fruit. When ripe it has a yellow-orange skin and a lime green flesh containing soft edible seeds. Mature fruits have a sweet flavour and texture similar to cucumbers. These fruit can be peeled and eaten raw or used in soups, salads and stews. For a thirst-quenching drink add lime or lemon juice, sugar and orange liqueur to the Agurkie juice.
Some species can be extremely bitter. We are still trying to propagate the more edible, sweet variety.
Stop, Drop and Roll
A big red fire engine came roaring up the road to the Admin Block at Solms Delta a few weeks ago. Then it roared off again to the “Smarties” workers cottages alongside the Herbert Baker church near the entrance. There have been so many serious fires in the Valley recently that those staff who were not in the know, held their breath anxiously. 
Dancing the Delta Draf
The weather was chilly and overcast, and a light drizzle started the day, but that did not deter more than 900 runners and walkers from turning up for the annual Delta Draf held at Solms-Delta on Saturday.
Delta Trap – Abrasive and Beautiful
I never knew that mountain bikers were such an affable and easy-going bunch until I inadvertently became the “official” Delta Trap photographer this weekend. Sure, there were a few choice words expressed at some of the more difficult sandy turns and rocky slopes, but generally the cyclists happily smiled as they raced past the camera.
Hands on Harvest
The harvest has finally come to an end after Francois and team harvested the Mourvèdre at Solms-Delta this week. It was a difficult vintage as many farmers harvested up to 40% less than in previous years. Very few farmers had the luxury and luck to harvest a full crop . This is due to the much lower rainfall we have received in most areas in the past few years. I have seen the worst of this in the Darling and Swartland area. Best of luck to those farmers and I really hope for a good, rainy winter for their sake.
Mark Solms wins top International Psychoanlysis prize
The value of people drives Solms-Delta owner, both on the farm and “on the couch’
Professor Mark Solms has been honoured with one of the biggest prizes in international psychiatry. Solms accepted the Mary S. Sigourney Award, which recognises distinguished lifetime contributions to the field of psychoanalysis, at a New York City ceremony in January.
Music Project Receives Performing Arts Award
The Music van de Caab Heritage Development Project most recently won a Performing Arts award for Music from the Western Cape Government Department of Culture and Sports for 2011 and 2012. This award sought to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions in the areas of Arts, Culture, Heritage, Language, Museums, Libraries and Archives Services in the Western Cape. These awards were open to any individuals, organisation or group whose efforts have made a difference to the communities within the Western Cape. The awards also seek to honour those whose work contributes to strengthening the platform upon which the Western Cape can position itself as the creative centre of the nation and abroad.
The link between Fyndraai and Noma Restaurants
You probably know that the best restaurant in the world is called Noma, that it is in Copenhagen, that it seats only 44 diners and on an average Saturday night the waiting list runs to a thousand people. The owner/chef has the highly appropriate name of René Redzepi and he is a forager. You would have thought that such a famous chef would simply send out to the Danish equivalent of Woollies or Thrupps for all the basic ingredients for his dishes. But, no! Chef Redzepi is a forager.
Travel writer’s link to Solms-Delta
I first noticed Dana Snyman’s byline when I started reading DIE BURGER after we settled in Franschhoek 6 years ago. I immediately took to his travel articles and the way he is interested in the behavior of the sort of people you find in the smallest of dorpies in the middle of nowhere. The sort of people you find propping up the bar in the Central Hotel, or behind the counter in the Texas café. He is fascinated by the cars they drive, the food they eat, the words they use. But he is never patronizing or condescending. He sees the humanity behind the strange behavior, the person inside the safari suit.
Our People – Thozi Thembani
The newest member of the Solms-Delta management team is Thozi Thembani. She was employed as a waitress at Solms-Delta ‘s Fyndraai Restaurant in March 2010 and was recently promoted to restaurant Assistant Manager.
